Agenda item

The Chairman introduced combined items 7, on matters referred from the Chipping Barnet Residents Forum, and item 8 on petitions and invited speakers as follows:-

1.     Petition - Chase Way Zebra Crossing at the SW of the raised Tabledeferred from the October 2016 Area Committee pending the findings of the Officer report on the Walksafe petition.

Mr Mitchell presented the petition drawing attention to concerns relating to the siting of the proposed Zebra crossing. This petition had 110 signatures and was a merger between an online petition and a paper petition. Mr Mitchell confirmed that he was not objecting to the 20mph speed signs and reminded people present that there had been no pedestrian accidents in the vicinity of the proposed zebra crossing and was unclear how a zero accident rate could be improved upon as a result of the location of the zebra installation. Instead, risks are increased.

Mr Mitchell commented on the need to create a desire line and that only 33% of pupils use SW direction as desire line is north of Cecil Road. Two schools have their entrances and exits on the north east side and the officer report does not provide any justification for the chosen location. 2.5 children cross for each adult - clearly pedestrian safety and desire lines should take pedestrian activity and habits into account within road safety designs.

Concern was also expressed that visibility was poor for drivers as thet would be unable to see pedestrians as they stepped out into the road which undermined the whole understanding of what constitutes pedestrian safety.

2.    Petition - No to a zebra at the Chase Way/Cecil Road Crossroads  N14, referred from Chipping Barnet residents forum in January 2017. 

Mr Mitchell presented the petition on behalf of Mr Petros Georgiou stating that there had been no accidents/incidents in Chase Way for over 10 years. In his view the residents consultation as seriously flawed.  There has not been an independent review or additional analysis. Locating the zebra on a downward slope would pose a hazard in winter.  In his view, an unintended consequence of the proposal would lead to more traffic in Arlington and other roads where children walk to school, thereby making them less safe. 

It was agreed that a decision on this item would follow a decision on the Design Review officer report for the Walksafe proposals for Chase Way.

Discussion and questions

The chairman invited questions from Members.

Councillor Edwards commented that the responses to the questions raised under item 5 on the agenda, should have been circulated much earlier to give speakers a chance to consider their responses and draw up suitable follow-up questions.  The Chairman confirmed that the responses had been published and were available on the Council’s website. However, he agreed that that it was unfortunate Mr Mitchell had not been made aware of the publication of the answers prior to the meeting.

Mr Mitchell said that the difference between the two locations for a zebra crossing - North West or a South West location, is the desire line – the NW is much better than the SW zebra crossings and they give a false sense of safety.

Councillor Cohen asked Mr Mitchell to explain the phrase ‘majority of residents’. Mr Mitchell said that residents included people who live in Chaseway (57). Eighty-seven out of 100 people in the street signed the petition against a SW zebra crossing.

The Chairman stated that it is not true that there has been no analysis of the data as the design review included analysis of pedestrian movements which the committee had just considered. Also the telegraph pole that could block site lines is going to be removed. The Chairman also asked officers whether the plan to create a new desire line for pedestrian flows will work.  Officers said that the current arrangements are chaotic and that the chosen location is the outcome of the review.

DECISIONS

It was RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the petition and agreed to take no further action.

1.    Petition - No to a zebra at the Chase Way/Cecil Road Crossroads  N14, referred from Chipping Barnet residents forum in January 2017. 

It was RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the petition and agreed to take no further action.

2.    Petition - Chase Way Zebra Crossing at the SW of the raised Table , from the October 2016 Area Committee pending the findings of the Officer report on the Walksafe petition.

It was RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the petition and agreed to take no further action.

3.    Petition – Safety at Lyonsdown/LongmoreJunction referred from Chipping Barnet Residents Forum in January 2017.

In the absence of Nikki Thorpe who brought the petition to the Forum, the Chairman introduced the item, supported by Councillor Bridget Perry and reminded Committee that £4,000 was requested for a safety review of the junction.

Officers agreed to a meeting on site to assess the problem and agreed to bring the item back to another meeting if funding becomes an issue.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That Committee allocated £4,000 (CIL funding) for a safety review of the Lyonsdown/Longmore Junction.

2.    To bring the item back to Committee for consideration pending the outcome of the review and the need for further funding.

The decision was unanimous